Basketball and Cajun food

Lance Madison, the new Seahawks basketball coach, seems like a keeper. At the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce reception at Stone Creek Apartments, he recalled an interview at Larry’s French Market.

“It sold me on the spot,” he said.

Madison revealed he’s loves cooking and is hooked on food shows. Welcome Coach Madison. I think you’ll be well fed in Port Arthur.

From Cayman Night to Southern Summer Night

I hope the area’s Cayman-connected residents will head out to Southern Summer Night. It’s a transitional year for this annual fundraising party from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 30 at the Carl A. Parker Multipurpose Center on the Lamar State College-Port Arthur campus.

The Greater Port Arthur chamber of Commerce and the International Seafarers’ Center will host the first edition of this party, which replaces Cayman Night.

Paige Snyder of the chamber, event coordinator, said the Golden Triangle Chef’s Association will surely put a twist on the all-you-can eat food for the night. Look for a chip and dip station, salad station, barbecue, hot dogs and ice cream. I will.

Trout Fishing in America will perform. These guys are funny. When my daughter was young, we listened to one of their youth tapes until it wore it out. Our favorite was about pico de gallo, don’t get it in your eye-o. In September of 2010 they released a folk/rock album “Lookin’ at Lucky,” with the most recent release being a children’s book/CD called “Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important.” These “fishermen” are four-time Grammy Award nominees.

Classics Recovered Band will open with traditional country and rock tunes. They have opened for legends such as Charlie Daniels, Ronnie Milsap, John Anderson and Daryl Worley. Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for ages 5-13. For information, call the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce at (409) 963-1107 or visit www.southernsummernight.net.

Courtyard Café

Karen Theis is as busy as usual filling the buffet at Courtyard Café in Groves. I was there recently and once again marveled at the varied crowd her eatery draws. There were club women in one corner, a bunch of women from an office in another area and a table full of refinery workers trying out the Parmesan-crusted chicken at another table.

The Ausisie at Kizmet

While I have been charged by the people of Kizmet in downtown Groves, I’ve never had a sandwich there. If by the “The Aussie,” you thought I was referring to Mr. K, then let it be known, it is the name of a menu item featuring mango habanero sauce, avocado and pineapple.

ddoiron@panews.com